Darlington County Court Records Search

    Please enter a valid first name
    Please enter a valid last name

    SouthCarolinaCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on SouthCarolinaCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

    Darlington County was established in 1785 and sits in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Its primary courthouse and most judicial offices are located in the county seat of Darlington, with additional magistrate and municipal courts operating in Hartsville, Lamar, and other communities throughout the county. Court records are spread across the Clerk of Court, the Probate Court, and several magistrate and municipal courts—each responsible for different types of cases. People regularly need these records for background checks, real estate transactions, litigation, genealogy, and estate matters.

    South Carolina's court system offers several ways to look up case information. SouthCarolinaCourts.us is a central resource for courthouse directories, filing procedures, court forms, and fee schedules covering every county in the state. For Darlington County specifically, the Case Records Search portal run by the Judicial Branch lets you look up circuit court cases online. You can also visit the Clerk of Court's office in person during regular business hours, use public-access terminals at the courthouse when available, or send a written request by mail. The Darlington County government website and individual court offices publish contact details, forms, and step-by-step guidance to help you work through the records request process.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Darlington County?

    Darlington County provides several ways to search for court case records. The right approach depends on what kind of case you're researching and how much detail you need.

    Online Search

    The quickest option is the South Carolina Judicial Branch's Case Records Search tool. It covers circuit court filings in Darlington County, including General Sessions (criminal), Common Pleas (civil), and Family Court cases. You can search by party name or case number to pull up basic docket information, hearing dates, and current case status. The C-Track Public Access system offers another way to view court data maintained on the statewide case management platform.

    In-Person Search

    If you need certified copies, a closer look at case file contents, or records that aren't posted online, visit the Clerk of Court's office:

    Darlington County Clerk of Court
    Address: 110 N. Main Street, Darlington, SC 29532
    Phone: (843) 398-4330 or (843) 398-4100
    Fax: (843) 393-6871
    Email: clerk@darcosc.net
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Staff can help you locate case files by name or case number. Bring a valid photo ID and as many identifying details about the case as you can—filing date, party names, or case type will all help speed things up.

    Mail Requests

    You can mail a written request for document copies to the Clerk of Court at the address above. Include the full case number (if you have it), the names of the parties, the type of document you need, and a daytime phone number. Copy fees must be included with your request, so call the Clerk's office ahead of time to confirm the current amounts.

    Steps to Search a Court Case

    1. Figure out the case type—criminal, civil, family, or probate—so you know which office or portal to use.
    2. Gather whatever identifying details you have: party names, approximate dates, or case numbers.
    3. Go to the SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search for circuit-level cases.
    4. For probate matters, call the Probate Court directly at (843) 398-4310.
    5. If the online system doesn't return results, call the Clerk of Court at (843) 398-4330 for help.
    6. Request certified copies in person or by mail and pay the required fees by cash, money order, or another accepted method.

    Are Court Records Public in Darlington County?

    South Carolina law creates a strong presumption that court records are open to the public. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10 et seq.) gives anyone the right to inspect and copy public records held by government bodies, including courts and law enforcement agencies. In practice, this means that most case filings, docket entries, judgments, and orders in Darlington County are available for public review—unless a specific exception applies.

    Confidential and Restricted Records

    Some categories of court records are shielded from public view under state law or by court order. Records that are generally not available include:

    • Juvenile proceedings – Records involving minors in family court or the criminal justice system are typically sealed.
    • Adoption records – Finalized adoption files are confidential and can only be accessed by the parties involved or through a court order.
    • Mental health and involuntary commitment records – Proceedings related to involuntary psychiatric commitment are not open to the public.
    • Sealed records – Any case file or document sealed by a judge's order is restricted.
    • Attorney-client privileged materials – Protected communications between attorneys and clients that appear in court filings may be redacted or restricted.
    • Victim and witness personal information – Identifying details about victims and witnesses may be withheld for safety reasons.
    • Trade secrets and proprietary business information – Commercial information filed under seal stays confidential.

    FOIA Requests

    When court records aren't available through normal channels, you can submit a formal Freedom of Information Act request. For records held by the Darlington County Sheriff's Office, direct your request to:

    Darlington County Sheriff's Office – FOIA
    ATTN: Public Information Officer
    P.O. Box 783, Darlington, SC 29540
    Phone: (843) 398-4501
    Fax: (843) 398-4502

    The Sheriff's Office FOIA fees break down as follows: document copies cost $0.35 per page, staff time runs $20 per hour, and CDs or DVDs are $5.00 each. You'll need to pay a 25 percent deposit of the estimated costs before the search begins, with the remaining balance due when your records are ready. A downloadable FOIA Request Form is available. Be aware that South Carolina law prohibits using public records obtained through FOIA for commercial solicitation—violations can result in fines up to $500 or imprisonment up to one year.

    Darlington County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Darlington County are prosecuted through the General Sessions division of the Circuit Court, which is part of the Fourth Judicial Circuit covering Darlington, Chesterfield, and Dillon counties. The Fourth Circuit Solicitor's Office handles felony and serious misdemeanor prosecutions. Less serious offenses and preliminary hearings may go through the magistrate courts instead.

    Where Criminal Records Are Maintained

    The Clerk of Court's General Sessions division keeps all criminal case files—warrants, bond paperwork, motions, plea records, sentencing documents, and disposition reports. Deputy Clerk Michelle Norton (mnorton@darcosc.net) oversees this division and coordinates with SLED, the Department of Corrections, the Public Defender's Office, and the Solicitor's Office.

    Searching Criminal Records

    • Online: Search the SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search for General Sessions cases by defendant name or case number.
    • Detention Center Inmate Search: The Darlington County Sheriff's Office runs an online inmate booking search where you can look up current detainees.
    • In-Person: Visit the Clerk of Court at 110 N. Main Street, Darlington, SC 29532, during business hours.

    Arrest Reports and Law Enforcement Records

    The Darlington County Sheriff's Office does not post police reports online. To get copies of incident or arrest reports, contact the office directly:

    Darlington County Sheriff's Office
    Address: 1621 Harry Byrd Highway, Darlington, SC 29532
    Mailing: P.O. Box 783, Darlington, SC 29540
    Phone: (843) 398-4501
    Fax: (843) 398-4502

    Report copies picked up within 14 days of the incident cost $0.35 per page and must be collected in person. Requests involving multiple reports or extensive research may incur additional staff-time charges at $20 per hour. The Sheriff's Office does not provide free background checks. For statewide criminal history reports, you'll need to contact SLED directly.

    Magistrate and Municipal Courts Handling Criminal Matters

    Traffic offenses, minor misdemeanors, and other lower-level criminal cases may be heard at one of these courts:

    Court

    Address

    Phone

    Darlington Magistrate Court

    115 Camp Road, Darlington, SC 29532

    (843) 398-4340

    Hartsville Magistrate Court

    404 S. 4th Street, Hartsville, SC 29550

    (843) 332-9661

    Darlington Municipal Court

    400 Pearl Street, Darlington, SC 29532

    (843) 398-4004

    Hartsville Municipal Court

    404 S. Fourth Street, Hartsville, SC 29550

    (843) 383-3008

    Lamar Municipal Court

    117 W. Main Street, Lamar, SC 29069

    Contact via website

    Records from these courts typically need to be requested directly from the individual court—they aren't all available through the Clerk of Court's central office.

    Darlington County Civil Court Records

    Civil cases in Darlington County go through the Common Pleas division of the Circuit Court. This division handles lawsuits involving contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosures, property disputes, and other non-criminal matters. Chief Deputy Clerk Jennifer Glanz (jglanz@darcosc.net) supervises Common Pleas operations, including filing, scheduling, judgment recording, and court roster updates.

    How to Access Civil Case Records

    You can search civil filings, motions, orders, and judgments through the statewide Case Records Search portal maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. For in-person requests, head to the Clerk of Court at 110 N. Main Street, Darlington, SC 29532. The civil inquiries phone number is (843) 398-4330.

    Civil Filing Fees

    The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes a statewide court fees schedule that applies to all circuit courts. Fee amounts may be updated from time to time, but typical civil filing costs cover complaints, cross-claims, motions, and service of process. Call the Clerk of Court to confirm current amounts before you file anything.

    Small Claims and Magistrate Civil Cases

    Civil disputes involving smaller dollar amounts are usually heard in Darlington County's magistrate courts. These courts handle landlord-tenant disputes, minor debt collections, and other claims within their jurisdictional limits. If you need records from a magistrate-level civil case, request them directly from the specific magistrate court where the case was filed, using the contact information in the table above.

    Property Records

    Real estate records in Darlington County are managed by the Register of Deeds division, which operates within the Clerk of Court's office. This division records and indexes deeds, mortgages, financing statements, tax liens, plats, powers of attorney, and notary commissions. The office uses the Cott Systems Resolution imaging system and accepts electronic recordings through Simplifile and CSC platforms. Deputy Clerk Abby Farver (afarver@darcosc.net) oversees the Register of Deeds operation. Property assessments are available through the Darlington County Assessor's office, and you can look up tax payment information on the Darlington County Treasurer's online tax search and payment portal.

    Darlington County Family Court Records

    Family Court in Darlington County is a division of the Circuit Court. It handles divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, alimony, domestic violence protective orders, paternity, adoption, and Department of Social Services hearings. Deputy Clerk Amy Smith (asmith@darcosc.net) manages Family Court and Support division operations, including wage withholding processing and coordination with the Sheriff's Office on enforcement of support orders.

    Searching Family Court Records

    You can search Family Court case information through the South Carolina Judicial Branch's Case Records Search system—just make sure you select the right case type. If you need certified copies or want to review a file in detail, visit the Clerk of Court's office in person or call (843) 398-4330. Family Court matters involving Judge Cely A. Brigman can be coordinated through (843) 398-4012.

    Marriage Licenses

    Marriage licenses in Darlington County are issued by the Probate Court, not the Clerk of Court. Applications are accepted Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Darlington County Probate Court, located on the 4th Floor, Room 404, of the Darlington County Government Building at 1 Public Square, Darlington, SC 29532. Here are the key details:

    • Fee: $100 (effective January 1, 2024); cash or money order only.
    • Waiting period: 24 hours after issuance before the ceremony can take place.
    • Expiration: Marriage licenses issued in Darlington County do not expire.
    • Ceremony location: Must take place within South Carolina.
    • Witnesses: Not required.
    • Certified copy: $5 per copy, available from the Probate Court.

    If your marriage license was issued by a different South Carolina county, contact that county's Probate Court to obtain copies.

    Marriage and Divorce Certificates from the State

    Certified copies of marriage and divorce certificates are also available from the South Carolina Department of Public Health. You can submit requests online, by phone at (877) 284-1008, or by mail. The fee breakdown is:

    Request Method

    Standard Fee

    Expedited Fee

    Additional Copies

    In-person

    $12.00

    N/A

    $3.00 each

    Online/Phone

    $12.00 + processing

    $17.00 + processing

    $3.00 each

    Mail

    $12.00

    $17.00

    $3.00 each

    Online and phone orders include a vendor processing fee of approximately $8.75. In-person requests are usually processed within 30 to 45 minutes, while mail requests take roughly four weeks.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce case files are maintained by the Clerk of Court's Family Court division. You can search for the final divorce decree and related filings online or request them in person. If you need a certified divorce certificate for vital records purposes, order it through the Department of Public Health using the same procedures described above.

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death certificates are not court records, but they often come up in connection with family court matters. These vital records are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Eligible requestors include the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, and anyone with a demonstrated legal interest. You can submit requests through the Department of Public Health vital records page or by calling (877) 284-1008. Fees for birth and death certificates follow the same schedule as marriage certificates, and expedited processing is available for online and phone orders.

    Darlington County Probate Court Records

    The Darlington County Probate Court handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and involuntary commitment proceedings. The court recently moved to a new location:

    Darlington County Probate Court
    Address: 1 Public Square, 4th Floor, Room 404, Darlington, SC 29532
    Phone: (843) 398-4310 or (843) 398-4311
    Fax: (843) 398-4076
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

    Judge Marvin I. Lawson presides over the court, with administrative support from Administrative Assistants Sharon L. Osborne and Heather Butler, Clerk Francena Hicks, and Commitment Division staff member Vickie Josey.

    Estate Administration

    The Probate Court handles both informal and formal estate proceedings. Informal probate is the more common route and doesn't require a court hearing. Formal proceedings involve notices to interested parties and a judicial hearing. A few key points to know:

    • Small estates: Estates valued under $25,000 may qualify for simplified administration.
    • Deadlines: Informal probate generally must be started within eight months of the grant of administration, or within one year of the decedent's death.
    • Forms: Standard probate forms are available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch forms page or directly from the Probate Court office.

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate records in Darlington County can be reviewed in person at the Probate Court during regular business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Copy fees are charged based on the number of pages. Call the Probate Court at (843) 398-4310 to confirm current fee amounts before you visit.

    Guardianships and Conservatorships

    Petitions for guardianship over incapacitated adults or minors, as well as conservatorships over the property of protected persons, are filed with the Probate Court. These proceedings require notice to interested parties and a hearing before the judge.

    Involuntary Commitment Proceedings

    The Probate Court also handles involuntary psychiatric commitment cases. Emergency commitments are directed to the Pee Dee Mental Health Center at 900 S. 4th Street, Hartsville, SC, with transport arranged through an Order of Detention. Non-emergency commitments require filing a judicial petition, after which the court appoints legal counsel for the respondent. Records related to commitment proceedings are confidential and not available for public inspection.

    Caveat Filings and Notices of Trust

    The Probate Court accepts caveat filings—formal objections to the probate of a will—at a fee of $41, and notices of trust at $41. These filings become part of the estate record and can be reviewed by interested parties through the Probate Court office.

    For more guidance on estate-related procedures, the Darlington County Clerk of Court website and the South Carolina Judicial Branch's courthouse information page for Darlington County offer contact directories and procedural resources. If you're involved in a probate or estate matter, consider consulting with an attorney—court staff cannot give legal advice about how to handle specific claims or filings.